Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
USING A STOMACH TUBE
A kid that is too weak to nurse must be fed with a stomach tube. A stomach tube is a length
of small, flexible plastic tubing such as that used for catheters. You can purchase stomach
tubes from a goat supplier. The tube is attached to a 60 ml syringe.
Slowly and gently, push the tube down the kid's throat. The kid often will swallow as you
push the tube down.
When the tube has reached the kid's stomach, attach the syringe and depress the plunger
slowly to deliver milk or colostrum directly into the kid's stomach.
Make sure the tube is in the kid's stomach before beginning to push the plunger; otherwise,
you might force fluid into the lungs.
The kid's suckling will assist the mother with expulsion of the afterbirth. Some does eat the
afterbirth; this is completely natural. If the doe does not eat it, dispose of the afterbirth as soon
as possible. You can dispose of it in a dumpster or bury it. If the afterbirth is not expelled
within a few hours after delivery, call your veterinarian. If the placenta is visible but not fully
expelled, do not attempt to pull it out because you could cause the goat to hemorrhage.
Most births do not require assistance. If a large kid is stuck passing through its mother's hips,
give a gentle tug on the front legs. A kid born hind legs first (the bottoms of the hoofs are
turned upwards) should be helped with a gentle tug because it could drown in amniotic fluid if
it remains too long in this position. If a kid presents itself in any other position, you can try to
reposition it. Wash your hands, and wash and dry the doe's vulva with mild dish soap. Lubric-
ate your hand with Vaseline
®
or dishwashing soap and insert it gently into the vagina between
contractions to press the kid back into the uterus and manipulate it into a correct birth posi-
tion. As you move a tiny hoof into the birth canal, cup your hand over it to protect the uterus
from being torn or injured. This should be done by someone with knows what he or she is do-
ing; call your veterinarian or an experienced local goat keeper. If the goat has been in hard
labor for 45 minutes and you have been trying unsuccessfully to help her for 15 minutes, it is
time to call for help.
After the birth, offer the doe a bucket of lukewarm water with a little molasses or cider vineg-
ar in it and a feed of hay if she wants it. Move the kids into a draft-free box or pen where they
will be reasonably warm. Remove any wet bedding from around the doe. For the next two
weeks, she may continue to have a slight discharge. If the weather is warm, she may shed
